Career and Education Opportunities for Receptionists in Detroit, Michigan

Receptionist career and educational opportunities abound in Detroit, Michigan. Currently, 31,340 people work as receptionists in Michigan. This is expected to grow 12% to about 35,020 people by 2016. This is not quite as good as the nation as a whole, where employment opportunities for receptionists are expected to grow by about 15.2%. Receptionists generally answer inquiries and obtain information for general public, customers, and other interested parties.

Receptionists earn about $12 hourly or $25,180 per year on average in Michigan and about $11 per hour or $24,550 annually on average nationally. Receptionists earn less than people working in the category of Clerical generally in Michigan and less than people in the Clerical category nationally.

There are six schools within twenty-five miles of Detroit where you can study to be a receptionist, among seventy-three schools of higher education total in the Detroit area. Given that the most common education level for receptionists is a high school diploma or GED, you can expect to spend only a short time training to become a receptionist if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Receptionist

Receptionist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, receptionists answer inquiries and obtain information for general public, customers, and other interested parties. They also provide information regarding activities conducted at establishment; location of departments, offices, and employees within organization.

Receptionists operate telephone switchboard to respond to, screen and forward calls, providing data, taking messages and scheduling appointments. They also greet persons entering establishment, decide on nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations. Equally important, receptionists have to file and maintain archives. They are often called upon to collect, sort, distribute and ready mail, messages and courier deliveries. They are expected to furnish data related to establishment such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided. Finally, receptionists transmit data or documents to customers, using computers, mail, or fax machines.

Every day, receptionists are expected to be able to articulate ideas and problems. It is also important that they listen to and understand others in meetings.

It is important for receptionists to perform administrative support tasks such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten data, and operating calculators or computers to coordinate with pay archives, invoices, balance sheets and other documents. They are often called upon to hear and resolve complaints from customers and public. They also receive payment and record receipts for services. They are sometimes expected to perform duties such as taking care of plants and straightening magazines to maintain lobby or reception area. Somewhat less frequently, receptionists are also expected to conduct tours or deliver talks describing features of public facility such as a historic site or national park.

Receptionists sometimes are asked to take orders for products or materials and send them to the proper departments to be filled. and calculate and quote rates for tours or other products and services. And finally, they sometimes have to greet persons entering establishment, decide on nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.

Like many other jobs, receptionists must believe in cooperation and coordination and be reliable.

Correspondence Clerk. Compose letters in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and typing correspondence.

Courtroom Clerk. Perform clerical duties in court of law; prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges; and contact witnesses, attorneys, and litigants to obtain information for court.

File Clerk. File correspondence, cards, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.

Insurance Processing Clerk. Process applications for, changes to, and cancellation of insurance policies. Duties include reviewing insurance applications to ensure that all questions have been answered, compiling data on insurance policy changes, changing policy records to conform to insured party's specifications, compiling data on lapsed insurance policies to determine automatic reinstatement according to company policies, canceling insurance policies as requested by agents, and verifying the accuracy of insurance company records.

Library Clerk. Compile records, sort and shelve books, and issue and receive library materials such as pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.

Municipal Clerk. Draft agendas and bylaws for town or city council; record minutes of council meetings; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; and prepare reports on civic needs.

Office Clerk. Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring limited knowledge of office management systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, stenography, office machine operation, and filing.

Order Clerk. Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.

Payroll Bookkeeper. Compile and post employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions. May prepare paychecks.

Procurement Clerk. Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.

Statistical Clerk. Compile and compute data according to statistical formulas for use in statistical studies. May perform actuarial computations and compile charts and graphs for use by actuaries. Includes actuarial clerks.

Weighter. Weigh, measure, and check materials, supplies, and equipment for the purpose of keeping relevant records. Duties are primarily clerical by nature.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Receptionist Training

Henry Ford Community College - Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College, 5101 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI 48128-1495. Henry Ford Community College is a large college located in Dearborn, Michigan. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 15,571 students. Henry Ford Community College has a less than one year program in Medical Reception/Receptionist which graduated eight students in 2008.

Dorsey Business Schools - Madison Heights, MI

Dorsey Business Schools, 30821 Barrington, Madison Heights, MI 48071. Dorsey Business Schools is a small school located in Madison Heights, Michigan. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 216 students. Dorsey Business Schools has a one to two year program in General Office Occupations and Clerical Services.

Baker College of Allen Park - Allen Park, MI

Baker College of Allen Park, 4500 Enterprise Dr, Allen Park, MI 48101. Baker College of Allen Park is a small college located in Allen Park, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 2,548 students. Baker College of Allen Park has a one to two year program in General Office Occupations and Clerical Services.

Baker College of Auburn Hills - Auburn Hills, MI

Baker College of Auburn Hills, 1500 University Dr, Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2642. Baker College of Auburn Hills is a small college located in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 3,848 students. Baker College of Auburn Hills has 2 areas of study related to Receptionist. They are:

Medical Reception/Receptionist, one to two year.

General Office Occupations and Clerical Services, one to two year which graduated 6 students in 2008.

Baker College of Clinton Township - Clinton Township, MI

Baker College of Clinton Township, 34950 Little Mack Ave, Clinton Township, MI 48035. Baker College of Clinton Township is a medium sized college located in Clinton Township, Michigan. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 5,666 students. Baker College of Clinton Township has 2 areas of study related to Receptionist. They are:

Medical Reception/Receptionist, one to two year which graduated 2 students in 2008.

General Office Occupations and Clerical Services, one to two year and associate's degree which graduated five and zero students respectively in 2008.

Dorsey Business Schools - Roseville, MI

Dorsey Business Schools, 31542 Gratiot, Roseville, MI 48066. Dorsey Business Schools is a small school located in Roseville, Michigan. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 459 students. Dorsey Business Schools has a one to two year program in General Office Occupations and Clerical Services.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, Michigan photo by Durova

Detroit is located in Wayne County, Michigan. It has a population of over 912,062, which has shrunk by 4.1% in the past ten years. The cost of living index in Detroit, 86, is well below the national average. New single-family homes in Detroit are priced at $108,900 on average, which is well below the state average. In 2008, eighty-five new homes were built in Detroit, down from one hundred fifty-four the previous year.

The three big industries for women in Detroit are health care, educational services, and transportation equipment. For men, it is transportation equipment, construction, and administrative and support and waste management services. The average commute to work is about 28 minutes. More than 11.0% of Detroit residents have a bachelor's degree, which is lower than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 4.2%, is lower than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Detroit is 27.0%, which is greater than Michigan's average of 14.3%.

The percentage of Detroit residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 37.7%, is less than both the national and state average. The most common religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Muslim Estimate and the Lutheran Church.

Detroit is home to the Memorial Park Marina and the Detroit Golf Club as well as Chene Park and Mallett Playground. Visitors to Detroit can choose from Corktown Inn, Clark's Motel and Days Inn of Downtown Detroit for temporary stays in the area.